Artificial Reefs International – U.S.S. Clamagore (ARI) and lifestyle brand Salt Life announced PADI’s (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) support of the U.S.S. Clamagore Artificial Reef Project. A Cold War-era submarine, the U.S.S. Clamagore will be relocated from Patriots Point in Charleston, South Carolina, and converted to an artificial reef off the coast of Palm Beach County, Florida.
Under the supervision of CRB Geological & Environmental Services, Inc., the submarine will undergo intensive cleaning processes to ensure it is environmentally sound, and panels will be removed from one side to create an underwater museum and artificial reef. Once established, artificial reefs provide food, shelter, protection and spawning areas for marine life, as well as recreational opportunities for scuba divers.
“The PADI® organization is committed to being a force for good, and we’re passionate about improving the health of reefs on local, national and international levels,” said Drew Richardson, president and CEO of PADI Worldwide. “We are honored to support ARI and Salt Life with this project to provide divers with a new site to explore, while simultaneously giving them a glimpse into the past and hope for the future of ocean health.”
“PADI is the largest recreational diver training organization in the world, and their support of the project is invaluable,” said Joe Weatherby, senior project manager for ARI. Salt Life President Jeff Stillwell added, “We are excited to partner with like-minded organizations that believe ocean conservation is crucial. By combining our voices and our particular talents, we can effect positive change for the ocean environment and the people who love it.”
All leaders in their respective fields, PADI, ARI and Salt Life offer their powerful voices and expansive networks of ocean advocates to drive positive change for the marine environment through this effort. The historic U.S.S. Clamagore Artificial Reef Project will begin later this spring with anticipated completion in August 2018.
As part of the Salt Life Gives Back initiative, Salt Life partners with organizations that strive to protect the ocean and its wildlife through conservation efforts, enforcement, reef creation and sustainability programs. For more information, visit www.saltlife.com/salt-life-gives-back. To this end, Salt Life has announced the sale of limited edition commemorative tees with net proceeds supporting the U.S.S. Clamagore Artificial Reef Project. You can purchase a Clamagore tee here.